Ten years of the Bennerley Viaduct revival: How volunteers brought the ‘iron giant’ of Erewash back to life
The Bennerley Viaduct (photo via Friends of Bennerely Viaduct).
The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct charity has marked its 10th birthday as work continues to open the new visitors’ centre.
The group was started to restore, conserve, and promote the Bennerley Viaduct – a grade II-listed bridge known as the ‘Iron Giant of the Erewash Valley’.
It was built in 1877 by the Great Northern Railway for the Friargate Line across the Erewash Valley.
After train usage stopped on the route in the 1960s, the viaduct became derelict and unusable.
It remained closed for 54 years until the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct reopened the site in 2022, allowing the public to walk, cycle and explore the area.
The group is now working on a new community-driven project to make the viaduct more accessible and open a new visitor centre and café, which is expected be completed in October 2025.
The community centre will also act as a cultural centre to celebrate literary heritage of the area.
Jeff Wynch, chairman of the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct, said: “To begin with, it was about seven or eight of us, meeting in a small room above a shop.
“It was people like me, older blokes with an interest in local history and an interest in bringing a new amenity to the locality.
“Local history is important because it is easy to forget unless there are reminders.
“We are lucky that the viaduct is still there even though it was in a poor state.
“We’ve had some ups and downs as a group and we are certainly on a high at the moment as we anticipate the visitors’ centre and accessibility ramp to be open in the Autumn.”
The Friends of Bennerley Viaduct partnered with Broxtowe Borough Council to develop plans for the visitors’ centre, café, and accessibility ramp.
Cllr Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “Happy Birthday to the Friends of Bennerely Viaduct.
“They’re a bunch of committed and dedicated people.
“I’m absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to work with them to build something for future generations.
“It’s important to preserve and recognise the importance of landscapes like this for future generations.”
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